Cowboys vs. Giants | NFL Week 18 Breakdown & Best Bets: NFC Least
Written by: Varun Sharma
Last Update: Sat Jan 03, 2026, 2:01 pm ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
nfl
The Cowboys head to MetLife to finish off their season against the New York Giants. Both teams are set to miss the postseason once again but it's looking like both teams will have their starters out for a good portion, if not the entire game. Let's jump right into this divisional matchup in the NFC East.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today's slate, take a look at our NFL Picks Page or our NFL Odds Page.
You can also browse our recommendations for the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.
Game Information
Matchup Information
- Location: MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: Sunday, January 4th, 2026
- Kickoff: 1:00 PM EST
Quarterback Matchup
- Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott (3-5; 2024 – 247.3 YPG | 11 TD | 8 INT)
- New York Giants: Jaxson Dart (2024 – n/a)
Betting Odds
Odds via Lucky Rebel, an industry leader in the sports betting world.
Analysis & Breakdown
NFC Least
The NFC East just wasn't the same this year. Not only were the Giants bad, again; but it feels like the entire division regressed. The Cowboys are loaded in terms of talent but set to miss the playoffs once again, the Giants have just three wins and the Commanders just can't stay healthy. The Eagles finished atop the division but they've looked beatable and their offense has definitely lost a step.
This week we've got a matchup between the Giants and Cowboys that really lacks motivation and incentive from both sides. The Giants recorded their third win of the year last week in "The Tank Bowl" and for the second straight year they managed to screw themselves out of the #1 overall pick.
Jaxson Dart was back on the field last week, helping his team to a win with 207 pass yards, 49 rush yards and two rushing touchdowns. He was sacked just twice and completed 70% of his pass attempts. Tyrone Tracy lead the way in the backfield, recording 14 rush attempts for 62 yards and an average of 4.4 yards per carry.
Wan'Dale Robinson lead the way with 14 targets, finishing the day with 11 catches and 113 yards. Robinson will miss the season finale so that's a ton of targets looking to go somewhere else. This week the Giants face off with one of the worst defenses in the league and the players on the field aren't interested in losing.
(D)allas Cowboys – D, Optional
The Cowboys defense is horrible this year. They rank dead last in points allowed, pass yards allowed, 30th in opponent yards per play, 28th in opponent redzone efficiency, 31st in opponent touchdowns, and 23rd in QB sacks. Dallas ranks 30th in opponent total yards per game and 30th in turnovers forced.
As bad as their defense has been, the offense has been just as good. Dallas is 4th in points, 1st in pass yards, 9th in rush yards, 3rd in yards per play and Dak Prescott has a chance at finishing the year as the NFL's passing yards leader.
Prescott's thrown for 4,482 yards this year, completing 67.4% of his passes with 30 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He's got a passer rating of 99.2 and he's looked great for a majority of the year. It helps when you've got two elite wideouts, both finishing the year with 1,000 yard seasons.
Both Pickens and Lamb are averaging over 80 receiving yards per game, with 12 of Prescott's 30 touchdown passes going directly to these two. Pickens had a stellar first year with the Cowboys, averaging 88.8 receiving yards per game with 9 touchdowns and lead the Cowboys in all major receiving categories.
Sunday's Best Bets
Tyrone Tracy o62.5 Rush Yards (-111) | Lucky Rebel
Neither the Giants nor the Cowboys have anything to play for this week. The Giants would probably prefer to lose just to ensure their draft pick doesn't fall any further and because of that I'm looking at the second year RB, Tyrone Tracy.
Tracy's had a quiet year with Cam Skatteboo taking over in the backfield, but with him on the sidelines and the season coming to a close; Tracy feels like he's in the perfect spot. He's cleared this line in two of his last three games, the singular miss coming last week when he finished with 62 yards against the Raiders.
The Cowboys rank 20th in rush yards allowed and are coming off back to back games in which they allowed Jacory Croskey-Merritt to run for 105 yards and Omarion Hampton to run for 85 yards. Dallas ranks 27th in opponent yards per carry and it's lead to some fairly big games to opposing RBs.
Tracy's 26 years old but in just his second year in the NFL. His future looked bright after good looking rookie year, but now the backfield's crowded and it's looking like Tracy's going to have to carve out a role here if he wants to see the field. With Skatt still on the sidelines and this being the Giants final game of the year, it feels like the perfect time for Tracy to show the team what he can do.
Looking for More
More NFL News
NFL Betting News
NFL QB Futures Odds: Week 1 Starters & Next Team Markets
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce for all my picks and sports takes you didn't ask for! Follow Betting News on 'X' and Twitch and catch us on stream! Betting News is also on TikTok! Follow us for more picks, and news!
Looking for a great promo for a new sportsbook? Check out our reviews of the best sportsbooks.
You may know me as ‘VSaaauce’. I’ve been a die hard hoops fan my entire life. I’ve been betting on the NBA/NCAAB/NFL/MLB for six years now, each year gaining more and more knowledge about being a profitable handicapper. I’m eager to learn, and eager to pass on everything I’ve gained over the last few years. I started my Twitter page four years ago, and this community makes me so thankful I did. Outside of sports and handicapping, I enjoy traveling, hoopin, a strong espresso and I’m currently studying to obtain my MD. I’m all about the vibes, good vibes only. If that sounds like you, follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.